Earlier quoted context omitted.
I can't imagine him getting back money that was spent on the equipment visible on the video selling these tubes. It seems to me more like the money wasn't a problem, and he just really wanted to start making these tubes (which is awesome).
About the comment: icantdrive55 7 hours ago [dead] [-] If you know what you are looking for; you can buy used lab equipment very cheap. Most sellers don't even know what they are selling. You do need to spend a fair amount of time browsing. I've been thinking about a glass lathe on CL for awhile now. My problem is space. What the frak HN?! Why is this have been downvoted to a flag kill?! This guy is absolutly correct…
It doesn't look downvoted/dead to me: http://imgur.com/IYl7FLw